October 2012 Rod Shop

Thermo-Tec’s new fire suppression blanket is a must-have for any racer, in a shop, or anywhere a small fire can start quickly. The 40x60-inch blanket is bright orange for easy visibility and can smother a fire instantly. Made in the United States from 100 percent silica yarns especially designed for high temperature conditions, it resists most acids and alkalis, and will not rot or mildew.

Abrasive resistant and unaffected by bleaches or solvents, it has a handy Velcro storage and carrying strap and can also be used as a welding blanket. For more information, contact Thermo-Tec at (800) 274-8437 or at www.thermotec.com.

Light On The Carbs

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Holley’s 600-cfm carburetors have been staples in the hot rod world thanks to their universal calibration and vacuum secondaries, but they’ve been revamped. They now have an aluminum main body, bowls, throttle body, and metering block, giving a 40 percent weight saving and a polished finish that stays shiny for longer.

These bolt-on-and-go savings performance carburetors are available with manual or electric choke (PNs 0-1850SA and 0-80457SA, respectively). Both feature a single push-on style fuel inlet, multiple vacuum ports for accessories, and Ford A/T kickdown. The 700-R4 linkage and 4L60/80E TPS kits are available separately. For more information, visit Holley at www.holley.com.

A/C Accents

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Designed and stamped in-house at Holohan’s Hot Rod Shop, these new sheetmetal panels were designed to fit Vintage Air’s billet inline bulkheads, allowing them to be recessed into the firewall. Stamped out of 18-gauge cold rolled sheet steel, they have a generous flange on all edges to allow for easy placement on your firewall.

Also available are similar sheetmetal recess panels for other Vintage Air bulkheads. The panels are sold separately and bulkheads are also available. For more information, contact Holohan’s Hot Rods at (704) 450-0607 or at www.holohanshotrods.com.

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NOS: New Old Shirts

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The vintage designs displayed on these 100 percent cotton T-shirts from California Car Cover’s Shop Rags have been off the map for decades, but Shop Rags brought them back and has given them a brand-new lease on life with three authentic reproductions of the original art.

Add to your wardrobe with one of each of these distressed-look T-shirts: Kansas City’s Arrow Speed Shop, the Lion’s Drag Strip logo, or Lion’s Last Drag Race. All are available in sizes medium to XXL. For more information, visit California Car Cover at www.calcarcover.com.

Two Types Of New

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Rare Parts’ stash of NOS F-1 truck Pitman arms is dwindling, so they tooled up to reproduce them. The new versions are more precisely machined, with the surface around the splines being smooth, compared to the as-cast appearance of the original.

The NOS versions are still available, at a slightly higher price, owing to their originality. Rare Parts carries restoration and performance steering and suspension parts, and has the capability to manufacture one-off parts, if required. For more information, visit Rare Parts at www.rareparts.com.

Go With The Flow

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Designed for ’38-54 Chevrolet passenger cars and ’38-55 Series 1 Chevy and GMC trucks, this radiator overflow tank was a rare accessory, but is now being reproduced by The Filling Station. Not only is this a great looking accessory item, it is also practical.

The tank accepts overflow and steam from the radiator, condenses it back to water, and then returns it to the radiator. Supplied with instructions, hose, and mounting hardware, it also comes with two different decals for early or late versions. For more information, contact The Filling Station at (800) 841-6622 or at www.fillingstation.com.

Accessorize With Ease

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Street Rod Bracketry provides unique parts, such as air conditioning, alternator, power steering, and engine mount brackets, whether you need a narrow, tall setup or have a wide and low application. They also stock compressors, alternators, power steering and water pumps, steel and aluminum pulleys, even belts.

The bracketry shown is an A/C, alternator, and power steering bracket kit for a ’54-56 324ci Oldsmobile, using an OEM three-groove water pump and crankshaft pulley and OEM exhaust manifolds. The kit is supplied with all brackets, belts, and hardware, a Sanden SD-series compressor, GM CS-130 alternator, and TC type II power steering pump with or without pump-mounted reservoir. Used pulleys and exhausts are available when in stock, and the brackets are available separately. For more information, contact Street Rod Bracketry at (817) 614-9659 or at www.streetrodbracketry.com.

Knock It Off

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Rocket Racing Wheels now offers this vintage-style knockoff that fits any of the company’s five- or six-lug wheels. The new design offers spindle-mount styling, but with a much safer bolt-on mounting application. The Rocket Vintage Style Knockoffs with threaded adapters are sold in pairs, one left- and one right-hand thread for safety, and can be ordered polished or chromed.

Two styles are available: a flat angle knockoff designed to fit high-offset modern muscle applications, as well as 6-inch-wide and narrower classic car applications, or a deep angle version purpose-built for 7-inch-wide or wider zero offset wheel applications. For big and little wheel combos, order a pair of each. Choose from polished or chrome finishes according to your wheel finish. For more information, contact Rocket Racing Wheels at (888) 307-7525 or at www.rocketracingwheels.com.

These Boots Were Made For Protecting

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Design Engineering Inc. (DEI) introduces Titanium Protect-A-Boots, a new product designed to handle extreme high heat to provide the ultimate in thermal protection—more than any other spark boot protector on the market today. Constructed from pulverized lava rock material that is extruded into fibers and set in an extremely tight weave, Titanium Protect-A-Boots with LR Technology have titanium-like strength yet are pliable enough to fit most straight or angled boots.

This unique material and construction provides added resistance to heat, chemicals, abrasions, and contaminants while providing maximum durability and toughness. While typical glass fiber material is only rated for withstanding 1,200 degrees F, DEI’s Titanium Protect-A-Boots can handle direct heat up to 1,800 degrees F, and radiant heat to 2,800 degrees F. For more information, contact DEI at (800) 264-9472 or www.designengineering.com.

New Bassline

13/16

With all the characteristics of Kicker’s reliable, powerful ZX-Series amplifiers, the new ZXS-Series amplifiers continue to provide trouble-free amplification and loud, clear sound, now from a significantly smaller heat sink than its ZX counterparts. Two models of ZXS monoblock amps are available, both under 14 inches long and easy to handle during installation. They can also be personalized with colorful vinyl skins.

The ZXS1500.1 and ZXS1000.1 mono-channel subwoofer amplifiers give the user a couple of manageable power choices for supplying bass needs, offering 1,500 and 1,000 watts, respectively. Both include the Kicker ZXRC remote bass control for that extra bit of bass boost at the driver’s fingertips.

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ZXS monoblock amps use a boost converter power supply for the highest sound quality and super efficiency. Optional endcaps are available for all ZXS and ZX amplifier models. For more information, contact Kicker at (800) 256-5425 or www.kicker.com.

Prevention And Cure

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The Eastwood Company is probably well known to most readers as suppliers of restoration products and tools, and here are a couple more products to make your project easier. The Internal Exhaust Coating is an 1,800-degree thermal coating designed to coat the inside of an exhaust system and headers. It prevents rust and corrosion and is claimed to reduce underhood and undercar temperatures. A 2-foot, 360-degree extension nozzle ensures full coverage.

The Rust Converter is a much cleaner way of tackling residual rust than using Muriatic Acid, converting rust into a black paintable polymeric coating. It works as a primer and can be over-painted with most paints. For more information, visit The Eastwood Company at www.eastwood.com.

East Vs. West Showdown

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East versus West. Hmm … right off the bat the authors of this book, Joseph Alig and Stephen Kilmer, admit in the foreword that this is probably one of the most controversial subjects surrounding our hobby/industry/sport/call-it-what-you-will. So we’ll add our two cents worth and say that this was definitely the case back in the day. But in this day and age of instant Internet gratification when it comes to shows, or forums such as the HAMB, we’re not so sure there’s a rift, or even much difference when it comes to build styles. Unless, that is, you’re trying to recreate a traditional East or West Coast–style car.

Even a cursory flick through this book reveals it’s heavily biased toward feature cars from the East, but it’s worth owning for the cars photographed alone, whether it’s the survivors, recent builds, or race cars that light your fire. Many have never been seen in print before, and that’s always a plus! So, East or West? Make your own mind up if you have to, or enjoy it for the photography. For more information, visit www.cartechbooks.com.